TWELVE years have passed since Steve McManaman left Liverpool but he admits his failure to win more silverware at Anfield still rankles.

The talented playmaker led the Reds’ charge throughout the 90s but only had a League Cup and FA Cup to show for his efforts as title challenges fell short.

“Without a shadow of a doubt the biggest frustration of my career was that not winning more trophies with Liverpool,” he said. “I wanted to play in the Champions League with Liverpool and I would have loved to have won the Premier League.

“We played some great football and entertained the fans but we didn’t quite have enough. Roy Evans was a fantastic manager but maybe we just needed that extra player and a bit of luck.

“Sometimes you come up against a side who have the edge on you and at that time it was Manchester United.”

McManaman left Liverpool on a Bosman free transfer in the summer of 1999 to join Real Madrid. He went on to win two Champions Leagues and two La Liga titles, and has no regrets about ending his stay with the Reds.

“Leaving was the right decision for me,” he said. “I always wanted to play abroad, broaden my horizons and learn a different language.

“My last season at Liverpool was tough. I had terrible Achilles problems and the team struggled. My mum was very ill at the time and she died at the end of the season.

“It was a strange old season with Gerard Houllier coming in as joint manager. I wasn’t able to play as much as I wanted to help the team and we ended up finishing seventh.

“Whenever I go back to Anfield the fans are great with me. I think they appreciate the fact a local lad came through the ranks, helped the club and then moved on and won big trophies.

“Whether it’s tennis, swimming, football or whatever, it’s fantastic when local people do well.”